PLATTSBURG, Mo. — The score changed slightly, but the outcome was the same in the rematch between Plattsburg and West Platte.
The Tigers got another strong showing from Austin Rankin and rolled to a 20-6 victory in the opening round of Class 1 District 7 playoffs on Friday, Nov. 1 in Plattsburg.
The two teams met in the regular-season finale the week prior and Plattsburg picked up a 28-6 victory behind three touchdowns from Rankin.
The junior running back eclipsed 100 yards on the ground in the first quarter and accounted for both first-half touchdowns for Plattsburg (5-5).
Rankin finished with 167 yards on 19 carries.
Both of his touchdowns came after turnovers by West Platte (1-9) midway through the first quarter.
The Bluejays forced a turnover on Plattsburg’s first drive of the game but lost a snap on a punt attempt on fourth down.
Plattsburg took over at the 25-yard line and on the first play, Rankin took a handoff and ran off left tackle for a touchdown. Isaac Mitchell’s point after attempt made it 7-0 with 5 minutes, 55 seconds left in the first quarter.
West Platte’s second drive stayed out and it was forced to punt from the end zone after an unsportsmanlike penalty call on the offense following a six-yard loss on a sack.
Rankin made it 13-0 when he ran in a 27-yard touchdown on the Tigers’ next possession. Earlier in the drive they had a 34-yard run down to the 3-yard line but a holding call pushed it back.
CODY THORN/Citizen photo
West Platte defensive back Trent Taylor runs after picking up a fumble in the second quarter of a game against Plattsburg on Friday, Nov. 2 in the opening round of the Class 1 District 7 playoffs. Plattsburg won 28-6, getting a second straight win in two weeks against West Platte.
Rankin fumbled the ball but picked it up on the next play and got five yards. His 27-yard scamper came with 3:14 left in the first quarter.
West Platte created a turnover early in the second quarter when a lateral pass from Kayden Carter to Rankin went off the running back’s hand and to the ground. Mason Montez was there to pick it up and returned it to midfield. Montez finished with two fumble recoveries in the loss.
That West Platte drive ended though on an incomplete pass on fourth down.
The Bluejays got on the board late in the first quarter after getting another turnover. Plattsburg fumbled again — the fourth time in the first half, losing two — and Trent Taylor picked it up for the Bluejays at the 24-yard line.
Quarterback Dublin Carnahan hit Brayden Cogan for a 12-yard gain to move to the 11-yard line. On second down, lineman-turned-fullback Will Finke got brought down at the 2-yard line. Carnahan got a 1-yard gain to move the chain to the 1-yard line and on the next play, he scored on a keeper.
The conversion pass failed, making it 13-6, with 32.5 left in the first half.
The Tigers took a knee to send the game into the break with a one-score lead.
Missed opportunities inside Plattsburg’s territories became the downfall in the second half for West Platte, which lost its final nine games.
The Bluejays drove to the Plattsburg 11-yard line but turned the ball over on downs with four minutes left in the third quarter.
The Tigers got a 53-yard touchdown from Isaiah Graham to pull ahead 20-6 with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.
West Platte had a drive end on an interception by Graham early in the fourth and another turnover on downs came at the Plattsburg 36-yard line with 3:48 left.
Finke led the rushing game for West Platte with 42 yards on 13 carries. Cogan had 41 yards on nine carries, while leading the team with 10 tackles.
Carnahan passed for 51 yards and ran for 26 yards and the lone touchdown.